There are five species of prarie dogs, all residents of North America: the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), the white-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus), the Gunnison prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni), the Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens), and the Mexican prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus) (Pizzimenti 1975).

The Latin name for the groundhog is marmota monax. In Ontario and elsewhere, it is also called the Woodchuck.

The ground squrrels are all seed lovers: Spermophilus columbianus, the Columbian Ground Squirrel; Spermophilus lateralis, the Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel; and Spermophilus richardsonii, Richardson's Ground Squirrel.

All are rodents (the Order Rodentia). All are part of the Family Sciuridae.